Monday, February 11, 2008

The Red Sox and first baseman Kevin Youkilis came to terms on a one-year, $3 million deal, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing. With the agreement, the Sox have still not gone to arbitration with a player since Epstein took over as general manager following the 2002 season. And that's a testament to Theo's back door leadership and his rapport with the members of the team. So now? We have much the same team as the one that won it all in 2007. One subtraction (Schill) and one addition (Buchholz) to the starting pitching rotation are the most obvious differences. Welcome to contract-land, Kevin. You surely do deserve more than three million bucks. After all, you played the entire year at first base, except for a handful of games, with nary an error. And you'll have rest when you need it this year, with the addition of Sean Casey, a good role playing lefthanded hitter and first baseman ready to enter ANY game at ANY time from the bench.

My Constant Readers, I'll have to postpone the second half of Gordon Edes' "Top 10 Spring Training Questions" for the Red Sox until tomorrow, because of the death of beloved Roy Scheider (see the post directly below). Have a wonderful Monday, and click on the title to link to the entire Amailie Benjamin Boston Globe article about our very own Kevin Youkilis. Soon, yes soon, he'll get the multi-year deal that he deserves. BE WELL. FOREVER. Love ya all!!

I think he deserves more, too, but I'm just glad we have him back (I love it when I have try to explain to Non-Red Sox fans that they aren't saying "boo" when he comes up to bat), and I think picking up Casey was a really good idea.

With these two guys at first, Pedroia (who will just keep getting better and better) at second, and Lowell, who's a great guy on AND off the field (unlike a certain other third baseman...A-Rod, cough, cough), at third, I really don't think it's possible to have a better 3-4-5 combination.

On a less-happy note, I'm sorry to hear about Roy... I didn't really know much about him, but, because you said so, I'm sure he truly was a great person who will be missed.:(

Links to this post:

About Me

Honest, caring and fun. I can be somewhat lazy. I have it down to a science. Or I can be as active as the Energizer Bunny on laughing gas. To
know me is to love me.
My email address is available when you view my profile. Feel free to email me about anything Red Sox. Or just anything! Thanks.